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Let me get this out of the way, I'm a fan of CM Punk. However, I am far from biased. I've enjoyed his work over the last few years with the likes of Cena, Taker and Heyman as much as I couldn't stand his "Giant Toolbox" "Clown Shoes" corny jokes face character. But every now and again people complain about his ability to draw as if the WWE ever relied on him in that capacity. Whether it be that the WWE doesn't believe that he is a draw, or that he just doesn't appeal to a wide enough fan base, there is no need to criticize Punk for this because he was never put in a position to do so.
On it's face, you would say that a 434 day reign as WWE Champion would mean that someone is being asked to deliver ratings and PPV buys. To a certain extent that is true; however, the truth of the matter is that Punk's reign as champion was only a shiny veneer on a supporting role.
This is a list of PPV main events after Punk became involved in the WWE title picture (keeping in mind that PPV main events generally refer to the major storyline for the show):
MITB 2011 (Punk/Cena)
SummerSlam 2011 (Punk/Cena) *Del Rio cashes in on Punk
Night of Champions 2011 (HHH/Punk) *HHH takes of the suit for one night to bury an emerging Punk and put him in his place, and I don't believe HHH going over Punk in this match can be taken any other way.
Hell In A Cell 2011 (Del Rio/Punk/Cena) *Del Rio wins for some reason
Vengeance 2011 (Del Rio/Cena)
Survivor Series (The Rock/Cena vs. The Miz/R-Truth) *Punk regains the title from Del Rio beginning the 434 Day reign.
TLC 2011 (Punk/The Miz/Del Rio)
Royal Rumble 2012 (Cena/Kane)
Wrestlemania (The Rock/Cena)
Extreme Rules 2012 (Lesnar/Cena)
Over The Limit 2012 (Cena/Laurinitis)
No Way Out 2012 (Cena/Big Show)
MITB 2012 (John Cena wins MITB)
SummerSlam 2012 (HHH/Lesnar)
Night of Champions (Punk/Cena)
Hell In A Cell (Punk/Ryback)
Survivor Series (Punk/Cena/Ryback)
TLC 2012 (Cena/Ziggler) *Punk was injured
Royal Rumble 2013 (Punk/Rock) *Rock ends Punk's title streak.
If Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, etc... make a movie that bombs at the box office, no one looks at their co-star and says, "After Earth bombed because Will Smith's son can't draw." No, they blame Will Smith.
On it's face, you would say that a 434 day reign as WWE Champion would mean that someone is being asked to deliver ratings and PPV buys. To a certain extent that is true; however, the truth of the matter is that Punk's reign as champion was only a shiny veneer on a supporting role.
This is a list of PPV main events after Punk became involved in the WWE title picture (keeping in mind that PPV main events generally refer to the major storyline for the show):
MITB 2011 (Punk/Cena)
SummerSlam 2011 (Punk/Cena) *Del Rio cashes in on Punk
Night of Champions 2011 (HHH/Punk) *HHH takes of the suit for one night to bury an emerging Punk and put him in his place, and I don't believe HHH going over Punk in this match can be taken any other way.
Hell In A Cell 2011 (Del Rio/Punk/Cena) *Del Rio wins for some reason
Vengeance 2011 (Del Rio/Cena)
Survivor Series (The Rock/Cena vs. The Miz/R-Truth) *Punk regains the title from Del Rio beginning the 434 Day reign.
TLC 2011 (Punk/The Miz/Del Rio)
Royal Rumble 2012 (Cena/Kane)
Wrestlemania (The Rock/Cena)
Extreme Rules 2012 (Lesnar/Cena)
Over The Limit 2012 (Cena/Laurinitis)
No Way Out 2012 (Cena/Big Show)
MITB 2012 (John Cena wins MITB)
SummerSlam 2012 (HHH/Lesnar)
Night of Champions (Punk/Cena)
Hell In A Cell (Punk/Ryback)
Survivor Series (Punk/Cena/Ryback)
TLC 2012 (Cena/Ziggler) *Punk was injured
Royal Rumble 2013 (Punk/Rock) *Rock ends Punk's title streak.
If Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, etc... make a movie that bombs at the box office, no one looks at their co-star and says, "After Earth bombed because Will Smith's son can't draw." No, they blame Will Smith.